Originally posted by financeguy My point was to do with Christians proclaiming themselves as morally superior, insulting other cultures by implication and then interpreting the Bible to suit a reactionary agenda.

OK, so you have your prejudices. What the hell does that have to do with this thread?

Anyway, fatwas are disgusting. The very idea of a 'fatwa' is disgusting to any moral society based on civic values.

It's interesting that when the fatwa was declared on Salman Rushdie, we were expected to react with disgust and horror, yet with a fatwa on terrorists, we are expected to throw away hundreds of years of civilisation and applaud the fatwa, as though a fatwa was a solution to anything.

Originally posted by financeguy Anyway, fatwas are disgusting. The very idea of a 'fatwa' is disgusting to any moral society based on civic values.

It's interesting that when the fatwa was declared on Salman Rushdie, we were expected to react with disgust and horror, yet with a fatwa on terrorists, we are expected to throw away hundreds of years of civilisation and applaud the fatwa, as though a fatwa was a solution to anything.

There is a significant difference in how the word "fatwa" is used in these cases.

I believe there is a scholarly definition that is essentially a statement of belief.

There is an extremist definition that has been used to place a death sentence on someone's head.

The US Muslim Religious Council is making the statement of belief. No violence intended.

There is a significant difference in how the word "fatwa" is used in these cases.

I believe there is a scholarly definition that is essentially a statement of belief.

There is an extremist definition that has been used to place a death sentence on someone's head.

The US Muslim Religious Council is making the statement of belief. No violence intended.

Is it correct for a State which bases its law on secular principles to place a death sentence upon adolescents? If it is morally correct, how can it be argued that such a society is in some way morally superior to a Muslim or Islamist society which does the same?

What's disgusting about a fatwa? As I understand it it's a statement made by a group of scholars, and this one is specifically condemning terrorism. There's nothing *wrong* with this. This has a definite purpose.

I have. I found it an enlightening experience. Here I was all assuming I'd see evil terrorist-supporting biasedness and all it was...was the news. In fact, it seemed less sensational than Fox. How boring.

__________________"I can't change the world, but I can change the world in me." - Bono

Originally posted by financeguy My point was to do with Christians proclaiming themselves as morally superior, insulting other cultures by implication and then interpreting the Bible to suit a reactionary agenda.

Then why not simply say that instead of personally insulting a person you disagree with?

fatwa means 'a statement of belief' as nbc has said earlier. it is very similar to vatican expressing opinion on a certain subject. there could be fatwas on various subjects, it could basicly be anything. there could be a fatwa saying.. i dunno, 'trees are good'... or 'it would be suitable for this person to be killed'. it does not necessarily mean a death sentence. it is only as evil and disgusting as any other religious statement/claim made by anyone. just lettting you lot know.